Capt. Don Walsh, USN (Ret), PhD

EYOS Advisory Board

Explorer and Oceanography Professor Don Walsh is perhaps best known as the pilot of the bathyscaphe ‘Trieste’ which dived to the deepest point of the ocean (the Mariana Trench; 35,840ft) in 1960. As an active member of EYOS’ Advisory Board, Dr. Walsh connects EYOS to the latest developments in modern exploration and science.

Don was educated at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis (BS in engineering), Texas A&M University (MS and PhD in oceanography), and San Diego State University (MA in political science). He also spent 14 months as Resident Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian.

In 1975 he retired as a Captain to accept a professorship of ocean engineering at the University of Southern California (USC). There he became founding Director of the Institute for Marine and Coastal Studies (IMCS) with rank of dean. Dr. Walsh is author of over 200 ocean-related publications from brochures to book chapters. He has presented over 1,700 lectures, television and radio programs in 64 countries.

For the past four decades, Dr. Walsh has also worked in both Arctic and Antarctic regions including the North (5 trips) and South Poles. To date he has participated in over 50 polar expeditions. The “Walsh Spur” (ridge) near Cape Hallett is named for him in recognition of his contributions to the US Antarctic Program.

In 2000, Dr Walsh was awarded The National Geographic Society’s highest award, the Hubbard Medal. In 2001 Dr. Walsh was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, awarded the Explorers Medal by the Explorers Club (and previously he had received their Lowell Thomas Medal) and, cited as one of the great explorers in the Life Magazine book, “The Greatest Adventures of All Time”.

In addition to numerous other awards, he is also an Honorary Life Member of the Explorers Club and the Adventurers Club as well as Honorary President of the Explorers Club.